Thailand has became the first country in Asia to decriminalize cannabis.

Thai Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said he expected legal cannabis production to boost the economy but cautioned that recreational use of the drug remains illegal.Tough penalties will still apply to those who use the drug to get high.”We still have regulations under the law that control the consumption, smoking or use of cannabis products in non-productive ways,”said Anutin.

Under decriminalization, it is no longer a crime to grow and trade marijuana and hemp products, or use parts of the plant to treat illnesses. Cafes and restaurants can also serve cannabis-infused food and drinks , but only if the products contain less than 0.2% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the plant’s main psychoactive compound.

Anutin also said he hopes the Thai cannabis industry will generate billions of dollars in income by boosting agriculture.”We expect the value of [the cannabis] industry to easily exceed $2 billion dollars,” he said, highlighting recent incentives such as collaborating with the Agriculture Ministry to distribute 1 million free cannabis plants to households across the country.